db.really.loud

I've had it for maybe six months now. Other cables I have tried: Radio Shack, Monster, Belkin. The Radio Shack and Belkin are fine cables and their only sins are sins of omission (if you don't compare, you wouldn't know what you are missing). The Monster cable is a slight step up from the Radio Shack and Belkin and the Kimber is another slight step up from the Monster (deeper, tighter bass and a touch more meat on the mids but not at all bloated or slow). Chris's comments on the cable are just about spot on when making the change from a standard cable to the Kimber. I've read a few comments on this and other boards that the Kimber USB cable can be improved by removing the ferrite beads. Tonight I finally removed the ferrite beads, figuring that the worst case scenario is losing $50. After modding the cable, it is more extended high and low. This is a light switch effect (not subtle). I think I'm done auditioning USB cables, it's that good.

1. I am using an iMac (AIFF on internal harddrive) with USB feeding the Bel Canto 24/96 Link which feeds my Bel Canto DAC3. 2. I actually just started using Songbird v1.1, I have no experience to share about v1.0. 3. I probably favor the lusher sounds of iTunes for most tracks, although every so often I do prefer the leaner sounds of Songbird -- depends on the track. No ticks here with Songbird v1.1, but I'm not sure the cause of the ticks between tracks for you. I'm going to do more listening but at this point I'm not sure if one is "wrong" or "right". Just a bit different.

I was just curious if any one else has noticed differences in playback with these two software jukeboxes. I think have double checked every setting that is possible, but these two programs sound slightly different. Songbird is slightly leaner and iTunes slightly richer. Consequently, tracks sound better on one than the other. Is there a reason for this? Which setting should I again look into (I use MacOS 10.5.6)? Or is this just somehow part of the software.